rekindled(英文版)- 第24部分

Her　threat　reached　its　mark。　He　didn't　move　a　muscle。

Silence　hung　heavy　in　the　air。　Even　the　rain　had　eased　to　a　gentle
patter　on　the　roof。　The　storm　was　ending。　But　what　was　she　to　do　now？　As
the　gravity　of　her　predicament　settled　in；　a　fit　of　trembling　shook　her
with　such　force　that　the　poker　waved　precariously。

Appearing　to　sense　her　terror；　the　man　rose　slowly；　palms　open　and　out
from　his　sides。　〃Take　it　easy。　I　won't　hurt　you。〃

〃You　already　have。〃　She　raised　the　poker　higher。

〃Put　that　thing　down；〃　he　ordered；　but　gently；　all　anger　gone　now。
〃You're　apt　to　hurt　yourself〃

She　shook　her　head　and　held　the　poker　at　the　ready。

〃Look。〃　He　sighed；　running　his　fingers　through　the　damp　hair　that　had
fallen　across　his　forehead。　〃Let　me　turn　on　a　light。　At　least　then　I　can
see　what　manner　of　woman　has　the　upper　hand　on　me。〃

She　eased　up　on　her　stance。　Light　would　help　her；　too。

He　crossed　to　the　nearest　lamp　and　turned　it　on。　It　bathed　the　room　a
warm　yellow。　〃That's　better；〃　he　said　and　turned　to　face　her。

Anne　took　a　good　look　at　her　would…be　assailant。　He　was　tall　and　rugged；
thinner　than　she　had　first　suspected；　though　the　breadth　of　his　chest
and　shoulders　spoke　of　strength。　His　sweater　was　black；　his　jeans　faded；
though　darkened　by　rain　at　the　hem；　where　they　fell　over　sodden　brown
leather　boots。

She　had　expected　a　dark　and　glowering　face。　What　she　saw　were　features
that　were　strong　but　kind；　skin　that　was　clear　and　only　faintly　tanned；
hair　that　was　thick　and　blond；　turning　silver；　in　damp　waves。

There　was　an　underlying　gentleness。　But　his　lips　were　stern；　his　cheeks
lean；　his　jaw　set。　And　eyes　that　were　silvery　hazel　stare　'　（I　at　her
without　a　blink。

〃If　you've　finished；〃　he　said　with　a　mocking　twitch　of　his　lips；　〃would
you　please　put　down　that　poker？　You　can　see　I'm　not　a　thug；〃　She　lifted
the　weapon　higher。　〃How　about　a　rapist？〃　She　wasn't　being　deceived　by　a
sweet…talking；　good…looking　man。

A　muscle　flexed　in　his　jaw。　〃I'm　no　rapist。　I　wouldn't　have　forced　you
into　anything。　Especially　once　I　saw　that　wedding　band。　I　don't　fool
around　with　married　women。〃

Tears　threatened　again。　How　bittersweet　that　the　symbol　of　a　marriage
that　had　ended　should　save　her　from　the　unspeakable。　So　she　had　Jeff　to
thank　still。

〃Who　are　you？〃　she　asked　in　a　quavering　voice。

〃You　really　don't　know？　e　on；　you're　holding　all　the　cards。　You　can
confess。〃

Her　voice　came　stronger。　〃Who　are　you？〃

Still　he　persisted。　〃It　was　Lennie；　wasn't　it？　He's　been　trying　to　set
me　up　with　a　woman　for　weeks　now！〃　His　frustration　sounded　sincere。

〃Who　are　you？〃

With　a　sigh　of　defeat；　he　thrust　a　hand　in　his　pocket。　〃Mitch。〃

But　she　knew　that　already。　〃Where　are　you　from？〃

〃New　York。〃

〃You　just　drove　up　from　there？〃

〃Yes。　I；　〃Why？

He　shot　her　a　surprised　look。　〃Why　what？　Why　did　I　just　drive　up；　or　why
am　I　here？〃

〃Both。〃　As　Anne's　pulse　steadied；　she　lowered　the　poker。

〃I　just　got　here　because　I　had　a　late　meeting　this　afternoon　and
couldn't　leave　the　city　until　it　was　done。　I'm　here　because　I　need　a
week's　rest；　free　of　all　human　contact。　All　human　contact。〃

〃Why　are　you　here？〃

〃I　just　told　you。〃

〃But；　why　here；　in　this　house？〃　She　was　beginning　to　think　straight。　He
didn't　look　like　a　thug。　And　he　could　have　taken　advantage　of　her　when
he　was　on　top；　but　he　hadn't。

He　rubbed　the　back　of　his　neck；　much　as　she　had　when　she'd　first
arrived。　〃I　e　here　often。　And　I'm　sure　I　booked　the　weekend　with
Miles。〃

So　he　did　know　the　realtor。　He　deserved　credit　for　that。

She　relaxed　her　grip　on　the　poker。　〃It　looks　like　good　old　Miles　made
mistake。〃　Thinking　about　it；　she　frowned。　Her　eyes　fell。　Absently　she
ran　faintly　shaky　finger　over　the　lip　he　had　bruised。

In　a　single　deft　move；　he　had　the　poker　out　of　her　hands　before　she　knew
he　was　there。　In　that　instant；　terror　returned。　She　had　been　duped。

〃All　right；　ma'am。　Now　you　answer　my　questions；〃　he　ordered。

When　she　tried　to　step　back；　he　grabbed　her　shoulders　and　held　her　in
place。　The　discrepancy　of　their　heights　appalled　her。　Even　accounting
for　the　fact　that　she　had　no　shoes　on；　Mitch　was　nearly　a　foot　taller。

〃Who　are　you？〃　he　asked　with　an　air　of　mand；　even　subtle　threat。

She　began　to　tremble　again。　〃Anne。〃

〃From　。。。　？）

〃New　York。〃

〃So〃…a　smile　touched　his　mouth　but　went　no　further…〃we're　of　the　same
stock。〃

〃Hardly。〃

Her　sharp　gaze　and　clipped　response　erased　his　smile。　〃When　did　you
arrive？〃

She　resented　his　questions。　She　had　a　rental　agreement。　This　was　her
place。　〃I　don't　see　that　this…〃

Hard　fingers　dug　into　her　upper　arms；　stopping　short　of　a　shake。　〃When
did　you　get　here？〃

〃Early　this　evening。〃

〃Why　are　you　here？　Both　versions。〃

He　had　relaxed　his　grip　on　her　shoulders；　but　she　wanted　out　all　the
way。　〃Can　I　sit　down？　My　legs　are　wobbly。〃

He　held　his　hands　out　to　the　sides　for　an　instant；　then　dropped　them。
The　right　went　to　his　waist；　the　left　to　his　pocket。　〃Be　my　guest。　Sit。〃

She　retreated　to　the　wing…back　chair　and　watched　him　add　logs　to　the
fire。　He　used　his　right　hand。　His　left　remained　in　his　pocket。　It　struck
her　that　he　avoided　using　it。

He　approached　her　again；　tall　and　imposing。　〃Why　did　you　e？〃

She　tipped　her　chin　in　defiance　of　his　stance。　〃I'm　here　on　vacation。　I
arranged　it　with　Mr。　Cooper　and　prepaid　for　the　week。〃

〃You　have　proof？〃

〃Of　course。〃

〃Let　me　see。〃

She　scowled。　〃Why　should　I　show　you　anything？　You're　the　one　who　barged
in　here　uninvited。〃

He　leaned　forward；　resting　his　hand　on　the　arm　of　her　chair；　bringing
his　lips　infuriatingly　close　to　her　ear。　〃Get　it；〃　he　demanded　under　his
breath；　then　slowly　straightened　to　let　her　pass。

Moments　later　she　reappeared　to　find　him　studying　the　fire。　He　took　the
paper　she　offered　and　skimmed　it。

〃Looks　authentic　enough；〃　he　conceded。　With　a　muttered；　〃That　fool；〃　he
turned　back　to　the　fire。

〃Where's　your　proof？〃　she　challenged。

He　…clenched　his　jaw。　〃You'll　have　to　take　my　word　for　it。〃

〃No；　thanks。　I　want　proof。　Or　you　can　just　take　your　things　and　leave。　I
didn't　drive　all　the　way　up　here　to　share　a　cabin　with　a　man　I　don't
know。〃

His　mouth　thinned　to　a　grimace。　〃Looks　like　you're　stuck　with　me；　lady。〃

She　was　suddenly　angry。　〃No　way！　I　came　up　here　to　be　alone；　and　that's
what　I　plan　to　be。　If　there　was　a　telephone；　I'd　call　the　local　police
to　get　you　out；　but　there　isn't　one；　and　I　don't　relish　the　thought　of
driving　out　in　this　weather。　So　I'm　asking　you　to　leave　like　a
gentleman。〃　He　stared　at　the　fire。　〃Who　said　that　I　was　a　gentleman？〃

〃I'll　give　you　the　benefit　of　the　doubt。　Now；　do　you　leave；　or　do　I。。
Her　voice　trailed　off。　There　was　no　alternative。

And；　damn　it；　he　knew　it。　Slowly；　he　turned　toward　her。　〃Or　do　you
what？〃

Frustrated　by　the　situation；　infuriated　by　his　calm；　she　gave　in　to　the
need　to　shout。　Loudly。　〃Look　。。。　Mitch　。。。　I　don't　know　who's　to　blame
for　this　fiasco；　but　I'd　like　you　to　leave。　It's　been　a　long　day　and　I'm
tired。　There's　obviously　been　a　misunderstanding；　but　I　have　every
intention　of　spending　the　week　here；　and　I'm　paying　for　that　time　right
now。　So；　do　you　go？〃

His　expression　was　unchanged。　〃Tonight？　No。〃

〃What　do　you　mean；　no？　You　have　no　right　to　be　here。〃

His　voice　was　suddenly　as　loud　as　hers。　〃I　have　every　right　to　be　here；
but　that's　between　Miles　Cooper　and　myself。　Let's　get　one　thing
straight。〃

His　eyes　darkened　to　a　charcoal　green。　〃I　don't　want　you　here　any　more
than　you　want　me　here；　but　for　tonight；　at　least；　we're　stuck　with　each
other。　We'll　work　something　out　in　the　morning。〃

〃But　you　can't　stay　here　tonight。〃

〃Why　not？〃

〃Because　I'm　here！〃

〃So？〃　His　eyes　were　hazel　again；　calmer；　strong。

A　flush　warmed　her　cheeks。　〃I　thought　I'd　made　it　clear　that　I　wasn't
part　of　a　conspiracy。　Well；　let　me　take　it　one　step　further。〃　Her
breathing　faltered；　but　she　let　loose　with　what　she'd　been　trying　to
tell　the　whole　world　for　weeks。　〃I'm　not　interested　in　you；　or　any　other
man。　Can　you　understand　that？〃

〃I　hear　you。　I'm　not　sure　I　believe　you。〃　Audacious　eyes　fell　from　her
face　to　her　neck　to　her　breasts。　Mockery　faded　when　he　looked　at　her
wedding　band。　Frowning；　he　drew　himself　up　straight。　〃I　think　I've　had
it。　Good　night。〃　As　he　brushed　past　her；　she　grabbed　his　arm　in　alarm。

〃Where　are　you　going？〃

〃To　bed。〃　His　words　were　blunt；　his　tone　chilled。

〃Oh；　no；　you're　not。〃

He　arched　a　brow。　〃Are　you　going　to　stop　me？〃　Slowly　he　looked　down　at
the　white…knuckled　hand　on　his　arm。

She　released　him　fast。　〃But　you　can't　stay　here！〃　He　continued　on　toward
his　bags。　Unable　to　think　of　a　better　course；　she　followed。　〃I　said；　you
can't　stay！　There　must　be　some　place　in　the　village。〃

Piling　luggage　under　his　right　arm；　he　headed　wordlessly　for　the　stairs。
Abruptly；　he　stopped；　turning　his　head　only　enough　to　call　over　his
shoulder；　〃I　assume　you're　sleeping　down　here？〃

She　had　no　power；　no　power　at　all。　〃Yes；　but　you　have　to　leave。〃

He　turned　to　face　her。　His　smile　was　polite；　his　eyes　frosty；　his　voice
cool。　〃I　will　in　good　time。〃　Taking　the　stairs　two　at　a　time；　an
astounding　feat；　given　his　bulky　burden；　he　disappeared　into　the　attic；
leaving　her　at　a　total　loss　for　words。

Anne　didn't　budge。　Her　arms　hung　limp　at　her　sides；　her　bare　feet　were
flat　on　the　floor；　her　eyes　were　glued　to　the　attic　door；　which　closed
with　a　resounding　bang。　Even　the　faint　sounds　from　within…the　scrape　of
a　chair　leg；　the　creak　of　the　mattress　under　one　bag；　the　thud　of
another　on　the　floor；　the　jangle　of　metal　hangers　on　a　wooden　rod…failed
to　move　her。

A　crick　in　her　neck　finally　brought　her　back　to　reality。　Hands　bracing
her　lower　back；　she　rolled　her　head　in　a　circular　motion　in　an　attempt
to　release　tension。

Bizarre。　Bizarre　situation。　A　real…life　drama　in　place　of　a　fictional
one；　discarded　now　on　the　floor　by　the　fire。　But　there　wasn't　a　thing
she　could　do。　She　could　agonize　over　it　for　hours；　but　that　fact
wouldn't　change。

Retreating　to　her　bedroom；　she　closed　the　door　tightly　and　propped　a
chair　against　the　knob　the　way　her　heroine　had　done　in　Chapter　Six；　or
thereabouts。　Quickly；　she　slipped　into　a　long　flannel　nightgown；　pulled
her　hair　from　its　knot；　and　took　refuge　under　the　bed's　heavy　quilts。

Despite　the　chair　at　the　door；　she　wasn't　frightened。　Not　really。
Mitch's　story　irritated　her；　but　it　was　believable　enough。　Or；　rather；
he　was　believable。　There　was　something　about　him…his　intelligent　manner
of　speech；　his　clean　appearance；　his　refined　air…that　spoke　of　breeding。
Granted；　he'd　been　pretty　crude　at　the　start。　But　even　that　could　be
explained　away。　He　seemed　neither　malicious　nor　vengeful；　only　angry　at
the　rental　agent's　error。

What　to　do？　She　had　no　choice　but　to　sleep　on　the　matter。　e　morning；
a　solution　would　be　found。　It　would　have　to　be　found。　This　was　her　week。
She　wasn't　sharing　it。

But　sleep　eluded　her。　She　cursed　the　two　cups　of　coffee　that　she'd　had；
the　unfinished　paperback；　the　creaking　that　came　from　the　room　above
her。　She　finally　fell　into　a　restless　sleep；　only　to　be　awaken　at
intervals　by　the　creak　of　that　bed。　It　was　nearly　dawn　whe